In this article, the author shares his experience at Perseus House Program and describes how the program helped him to turn his life around. The author was originally sent to residential treatment facilities because of his attitude. After seven months of failing in his second treatment program, the author's probation officer decided to pull him…

This article is concerned with short-term residential adult education conferences of four to five days duration--approximately the time normally allocated to large-scale national conferences. The author offers suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of short-term residential conferences and touches on some of the theoretical concepts that…

This report begins with discussion of several issues in the field of quality assurance in residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The issues include definitions of key terms, the role of ideology, major types of quality assurance, and dimensions of quality assurance. The report takes the position that primary values…

Examines long-term treatment of sexually abusive adolescent boys in secure conditions. Argues that, if treatment is to be successful, consideration must be given to factors which hinder treatment process: number and severity of clinical and behavioral problems presented by client group; resistance to treatment; difficulty of generalizing…

Responds to a critique of "The Small ICF/MR Program: Dimensions of Quality and Cost" (Conroy), that questioned the research design of the study. It emphasizes the significantly higher quality of life ratings for community living arrangements in opportunities for choice-making, integration, individualization, and other measures. (CR)

This document is a transcript of hearings conducted in Hartford, Connecticut, before the United States Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped on the effects of deinstitutionalization of the mentally retarded. The bulk of the testimony was given by Connecticut officials and leaders in the mental health field. They presented evidence and case…

Criticizes the research design in "The Small ICF/MR program: Dimensions of Quality and Cost" (Conroy), that found small Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) for individuals with mental retardation are inferior to other community programs. Discusses the problem in selecting a control group on the basis of pretest matching. (CR)

The paper briefly discusses 12 critical issues that significantly affect program success in reducing severe self-injurious behavior (SIB) in group homes. The paper emphasizes the necessity of: (1) a process approach to the development and monitoring of treatment; (2) demythologizing the self-injurious client; (3) discussing and clarifying legal…

Comments on "The Small ICF/MR Program: Dimensions of Quality and Cost" (Conroy), that found small Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) for individuals with mental retardation are inferior to other community programs. Acknowledges that while some research problems exist, no important evidence against the findings has been provided. (CR)

Program evaluation guidelines are drawn from experience evaluating residential child-care programs at the Starr Commonwealth Schools (Michigan). Delinquent and behaviorally disadvantaged youth participate in treatment based on the Psychoeducational Model (Brendtro and Ness), including full-time school, service learning projects, physical education…